Comparison

Things to Learn vs Spelling Bee

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Things to Learn

Create custom study tests for spelling, vocabulary, and general knowledge. Supports multiple test formats, including flashcards and Q&A, with options for voice recording, text-to-speech in over 27 languages, and multimedia integration.

Highlights
  • Create Q&A, multiple-choice, spelling, and flashcard tests
  • Record voice for tests
  • Text-to-speech in over 27 languages
  • Include videos, pictures, and sounds in tests
  • Handwriting or keyboard input
  • Share test results via email and other media
  • Multi-user support
Features
Read full description

Use your iPad for something more than games. Need to study for your English spelling test? No problem! Create a spelling test by typing the words you will be tested on. With Things to Learn (T2L) you may even record your voice and hear it when you take the test. Need to study for your Spanish spelling quiz? Create a spelling test and use the Text to Speech option to hear the spelling words read in Spanish. With over 27 languages to choose from, you can also study for your English, German or Chinese class. Need to study word definitions? How about creating a multiple choice test! How about biology? You can create a Q&A test and include pictures and a cool experiment video. T2L also has a flashcard option which will help you memorize things better. T2L enables students to practice spelling lists using handwriting or a keyboard. With this app, they are able to check their answers on their own, practice incorrect ones and send an email to parents who can see their progress and accomplishments. T2L is a great tool for elementary to high school students and it is not limited to spelling lists, tests can be created to be answered as Q&A, multiple-choice or be studied as Flashcards. Photos, videos and recordings can also be added to each question and/or answer in a test. As a bonus, students can choose from over 27 languages to hear questions read in the selected language. T2L enables children with little or no keyboard skills to study also using an iPad. Choose the way to take the test that best suits your needs by writing the answers using a stylus, your hand or a keyboard. Answer questions in random or sequential order. Grade your test automatically or manually. Retake the whole test or just missed questions. And best of all, send test results to your parents or teachers via e-mail and other supported media.  ---------------------- Characteristics: ---------------------- ** Create Questionnaire (Q&A), Multiple-choice, Spelling, Flashcard test all in the same app. ** Do not limit your study to only flashcards, modify the test any time, change the test format between Q&A, multiple-choice, spelling and flashcard with out having to create a new test. ** Have tests read in over 27 languages (no additional purchases required for different languages) Great for learning new languages. ** No logins or wi-fi required ** Include videos, pictures and sounds in questions and/or answers. ** Print, upload and share test results. ** Share tests with email, airdrop, dropbox or other supported media. ** Create the tests that meet your needs. Great for older students and simple enough for elementary students. ** Voice Over compatible ** Landscape and Portrait mode ** Choose default text to speech language ** No Social Media, all personal information is kept within the app. ** Multi-user application ============================================= For more information: Full demo available in our website ============================================= *** Free to try with full functionality, but taking test is restricted to 4 questions. *** Things to Learn - School Edition, has all the same functionality with no restrictions and no In-Apps.

About

Spelling Bee

Master English spelling with interactive handwriting input and a vast word library. Progress through real-world topics, practice pronunciation, and track your learning journey. Turns daily vocabulary building into an enjoyable habit.

Highlights
  • Unique handwriting input for better retention
  • Engaging journey mode with real-world topics
  • Massive library of essential English words
  • Native audio pronunciation for accents
  • Smart progress tracking and learning streaks
Features
Read full description

Master English spelling in the most interactive way! With Spelling Bee: English Words, learning vocabulary is engaging and effective. Simply draw letters directly on your screen with your finger to build words, strengthen your muscle memory, and retain new vocabulary effortlessly. WHATS INSIDE Unique Handwriting Input: Trace letters naturally to boost retention and make practice feel like a game. Engaging Journey Mode: Explore dozens of real-world topics structured to take you from beginner to advanced. Massive Word Library: Practice with thousands of essential words, common phrases, and modern expressions. Native Audio Pronunciation: Train your ear to recognize correct accents and sounds while you write. Smart Progress Tracking: Keep your daily learning streak alive and watch your spelling accuracy improve every day. Whether you are preparing for exams, traveling, or just building your vocabulary, Spelling Bee: English Words turns daily practice into an enjoyable habit. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Spelling Bee: English Words offers the following subscription options: Weekly subscription with a 3-day free trial. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the price of the selected plan. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://smertrios.net/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://smertrios.net/terms

Screenshots

Things to Learn4 screens
Spelling Bee4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Things to Learn at none against Spelling Bee's shown. Things to Learn also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 78%) and device support (3 vs 1). Spelling Bee's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (1.9K vs 18). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Things to Learn sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Spelling Bee sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spelling Bee holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spelling Bee has 1.9K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of Things to Learn's written reviews are positive against 78% of Spelling Bee's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Things to Learn ships an update every 8 months, Spelling Bee every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Things to Learn versus Spelling Bee: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThings to LearnSpelling Bee
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (18 ratings)4.6 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews89.8% of reviews — better77.9% of reviews
Number of ratings181.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB243 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBQWareSmertrios

Customer experience

Things to Learn

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive89.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative6.1%

Spelling Bee

All ratings1,911 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral3.3%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews471 reviews
Positive77.9%
Neutral4.9%
Negative17.2%

User reviews

Things to Learn

From 18 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for learning and studying
  • 💡 Customizable tests and content
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 👍 Good for kids' education
  • 👍 Useful for various subjects (languages, geography, spelling)

Room to improve

  • 😞 Confusing and won't work
  • 😞 No picture and computer-generated sound
  • 😞 Outdated and old-looking UI
  • 😞 Poor presentation
  • 😞 TTS on spelling tests can be hard to understand

Spelling Bee

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helps with spelling and learning
  • 👍 Fun and enjoyable
  • 🤓 Challenging and educational
  • 🤩 Great for kids and students
  • 😊 Encouraging and motivating

Room to improve

  • 🔒 No way to cancel or manage subscription
  • 💰 Expensive subscription fees
  • 🔍 Lack of settings and customization options
  • 🐛 Crashes and technical issues
  • 🚫 Age-inappropriate content

Bugs and requests

Things to Learn

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Keyboard input bug with newlines
  • TTS on spelling tests can be hard to understand
  • Grammatical error in emailed results
  • No picture and computer-generated sound
  • App won't work

Requested features

7 requests
  • More built-in tests or online templates
  • Gamify the app more (experience points, leveling up)
  • Make English the default language
  • Improve TTS for spelling tests
  • Add more content to the free version
Show 2 more
  • Visual updates and design uplift
  • Multiple choice option for quizzes

Spelling Bee

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription charges despite cancellation
  • Crashes and freezes during gameplay
  • Incompatibility with certain devices
  • Inability to access all features without payment

Requested features

5 requests
  • More affordable subscription options
  • Better subscription management tools
  • Customizable settings and controls
  • Expanded content for older users
  • Improved customer support and help center

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Things to Learn

One-time1
  • Full Version$2.99
10 purchases

Spelling Bee

Subscriptions10
  • Spelling Bee Premium3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Spelling Bee Premiums Access$9.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • Spelling Bee Premium3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • One Week$9.997 Days
  • Spelling Bee Monthly Trial3 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Spelling Bee Premium$12.991 Month
  • One Month$19.991 Month
  • Spelling Bee Premium Access$39.993 Months
  • Spelling Bee Premium3 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Things to Learn free?
Things to Learn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spelling Bee free?
Spelling Bee is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Things to Learn or Spelling Bee?
Spelling Bee is rated higher. Things to Learn averages 4.3 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Spelling Bee averages 4.6 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Things to Learn or Spelling Bee have ads?
Spelling Bee shows ads; Things to Learn does not.
Which is updated more often, Things to Learn or Spelling Bee?
Things to Learn ships an update every 8 months, and Spelling Bee every 4 weeks. Most recently, Things to Learn was updated on November 1, 2026 and Spelling Bee on November 10, 2026.

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